Registration is now open for the 2025 sessions!

 

New Updated The Deep Culture Approach (DCA) Masterclass Series!

Learn the latest, most empirically grounded approach to intercultural education with JII’s new Masterclass Series. Created for intercultural educators, trainers, and dedicated interculturalists, this series introduces the Deep Culture Approach (DCA) to intercultural education. It is based on the groundbreaking work by Joseph Shaules, as seen in his books The Intercultural Mind, and Language, Culture and the Embodied Mind. It is suitable for anyone ready to take a deep dive into the psychology of intercultural understanding. This series is an updated and improved version of JII’s previous Brain, Mind and Culture Masterclass and a 50% discount is available for previous Masterclass graduates. 

What is ‘deep culture’?

Culture is often talked about as a set of customs or attitudes or labels that describe our identity. From the perspective of cultural psychology, however, culture refers most simply to patterns of shared meaning that are embodied within us and embedded in the environment around us. 

Deep culture refers to these patterns of meaning that are integral to our mental functioning and to navigating in the world. Deep cultural learning, therefore, requires a process of disruption and reconfiguration that is psychologically challenging but personally enriching. 

Isn’t human nature the same everywhere?

Human beings are cultural by nature–we are shaped at the deepest levels of the self by the sociocultural environment we grow up in. Just as our native language is completely integrated into our mind and self, so too are the cultural patterns of perception that we take for granted. In our evolutionary past, ethnocentrism and bias had survival value, yet today these “natural” elements of self trip us up as we navigate cultural complexity. Culture is in our nature, yet intercultural understanding is not “natural”. 

Why a psychological approach?

Just as a therapist can help you recognize mental habits and patterns of behavior that get in the way of wellbeing, psychology-based intercultural education can help learners identify cultural patterns of perception, sources of stress and misunderstanding, and ways to constructively meet intercultural challenges. The DCA is not a form of therapy, but it is based on an empirical understanding of how cognition works, and seeks to help learners gain both personal and intercultural insights, increase personal wellbeing, and lead to greater intercultural effectiveness.

What does the DCA series cover?

The DCA is a synthesis of insights from cognitive and cultural psychology which shed light on the challenges and rewards of foreign experiences. Foreign experiences naturally lead to misjudgements, biased reactions and psychological resistance. But they also provide an opportunity to gain insight into how our everyday experiences are shaped by culture. Gaining insights into these processes involves four key areas of inquiry: 1) how culture shapes the mind, 2) the psychological impact of foreign experiences, 3) the natural biases that make intercultural understanding difficult, 4) and ways to deepen cultural learning. These four areas are introduced  in the Foundation Module, and then covered in more depth in advanced Masterclass modules. The structure is as follows:

What do you learn in the foundation module?

The Masterclass series starts with the DCA Foundation Module: The Psychology of Intercultural Understanding. The Foundation Module provides an overview of the deep culture approach, including its theoretical basis and examples of how it is implemented in practice. There is a review of traditional approaches to intercultural education, which typically focus on abstract theorizing and modeling. The DCA, however, focuses on the psychology of intercultural understanding–ways in which an understanding of culture and mind can lead to personal and cultural insights. This module acts as a starting point for anyone interested in applying these ideas into intercultural education and individual contexts. The foundation is also a prerequisite for advanced modules. 

What will future advanced modules cover?

Four advanced modules are scheduled to be offered in 2026. The advanced modules are open only to those who have finished the foundation modules. They will cover:

  • Culture and the mind explores how culture shapes our experience of the world
  • Culture, cognition and self explores patterns of cultural difference around the world
  • Culture and bias explores the natural biases that get in the way of intercultural understanding.
  • Cultural learning explores the cultural learning process and the psychology of empathy.

Who are the trainers?

The DCA Masterclass was developed by Joseph Shaules in collaboration with Ishita Ray. Joseph is recognized as an authority on intercultural education and brain-mind sciences. He is author of multiple books, including: The Intercultural Mind (Intercultural Press), Deep Culture (Linguaculture Matters), and Language, Culture and the Embodied Mind (Springer), and is the Director of the Japan Intercultural Institute, and a Specially Appointed Professor at Keio University, in Tokyo, Japan. He is the founder (together with Yvonne van der Pol) of the Deep Culture Podcast. 

Ishita Ray is an intercultural consultant, coach and trainer. She has experience of working with higher education institutions, and corporate organisations to design curriculum, manage large-scale learning projects across cultures, and conduct faculty development programs. She is a co-founder of the Business Communication Facilitators’ Association of India and the co-producer of the Deep Culture Podcast. She currently lives in Tokyo where she is doing her Doctoral Research in International Development Studies.

How is the course structured?

The he Psychology of Intercultural Understanding Masterclass runs over a period of four weeks and consists of A) four interactive webinars, B) four podcast episodes and accompanying activities, C) an online interactive learning community with shared reflections and insights, and D) an (optional) certification program with one additional webinar session.

When is the Masterclass?

Webinar dates and times (2025): Starts Friday Nov 21st!

  • Nov 21 (Fri) 2025 – 12:00-14:00* GMT (8:00 New York / 13:00 London / 14:00 Paris / 21:00 Tokyo)
  • Nov 28 (Fri) 2025 – 12:00-14:00 GMT (7:00 New York / 12:00 London / 13:00 Paris / 21:00 Tokyo)
  • Dec 5 (Fri) 2025 – 12:00-14:00 GMT (7:00 New York / 12:00 London / 13:00 Paris / 21:00 Tokyo)
  • Dec 12 (Fri) 2025 – 12:00-14:00 GMT (7:00 New York / 12:00 London / 13:00 Paris / 21:00 Tokyo)
  • Dec 19** (Fri) 2025 –  12:00-14:00 GMT (7:00 New York / 12:00 London / 13:00 Paris / 21:00 Tokyo)

*Webinars start at 21:00 JST (Tokyo time). Starting times in some other cities will vary depending on summer/daylight savings time.   

**The December 13th session is only for participants who have signed up for the certification.

What is the cost?

The Japan Intercultural Institute (JII) is a registered non-profit educational institute. JII sponsorship allows us to keep the cost of the Masterclass low.* Fees are: €480 for the full course; (discounted €430 early bird rate if you register by September 15, 2025);  +€50 for certification option. 

What does this include?

  • 4 Interactive Masterclass Webinars (+1 for certification)
  • Masterclass Certification (optional)
  • 4 open source webinar slide sets for your use
  • 4 Deep Culture Podcasts and related activities
  • Ep 46 – Beyond WEIRD Approaches to Intercultural Education Pt 1 
  • Ep 45 – Who needs IC education? 
  • Ep 49 – Cultural Misunderstanding
  • Ep 48 – Beyond WEIRD Approaches to IC Education Pt 2
  • 1 PDF copy of The Intercultural Mind (Shaules) 
  • 1 PDF copy of Language, Culture and the Embodied MInd (Shaules)
  • Podcast transcripts (PDF)
  • Open source educational materials to use in the classroom
  • The right to take future advanced modules.
  • One-year membership in JII (¥5000 / €40 value)
  • Access to our online learning community 
  • Access to JII Members-only events (e.g. Learning Circle)

Certification (optional)

Participants can earn the The Psychology of Intercultural Understanding Masterclass Certification, issued by the Japan Intercultural Institute. Certification requirements: 1) Participation in 4 BMC Masterclass webinars + 1 additional certification webinar, 2) Completion of 4 online learning activities, 3) Passing an evaluation of your understanding of course content. There is an additional fee of €50 for the certification option.

*JII is committed to making its activities accessible to those who have limited financial resources. Individuals who live in lower GDP countries can apply for a discounted rate for the Masterclass. Please use the “contact us” link below for more information.

Registration for the Nov-Dec 2025 sessions with the form below: 

For more information, contact us